As happens every so often, we have recently been through a spate of embarrassing reports about the lives of prominent public officials. Adulterous affairs by Nevada Senator John Ensign, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, and former presidential candidate John Edwards, entanglements in prostitution by Louisiana Senator David Vitter and former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer - these are just the latest in a long line of dismaying revelations about people in whom the American voters once put their trust.

Congress currently is working to pass a huge energy bill. The centerpiece is a system to force energy utilities to purchase government credits to offset their greenhouse gas emissions. This would in effect be an energy tax on the American people as the utilities pass the increased costs along to consumers and small business owners.

Thursday's front page coverage of local Cub Scouts' rain gutter regatta brought back some good memories for me.

When I was a mere 9 years old, I competed in the rain gutter regatta as a cub scout in Ohio. I blew on that plastic sail until I was light-headed. I didn't win, but it remains one of the fondest memories of my childhood.

From mischievous dogs, circuses and vampires to questions about God and death row miracles … there has literally been something to interest everyone at the CKNJ Bookmarks reading group meetings.

And if you haven’t joined us yet, you’re missing something.

Our first book choice more than a year ago was “Marley and Me” by John Grogran. The story of a family and its neurotic dog, the book was fun read and was followed by the release of a movie based on the book.

During a recent telephone town hall, a constituent from Bowling Green told me, "Being a two-time cancer survivor, and possibly having it for a third time, I'm very concerned about health care reform. I know money is tight for everyone right now, but I'm worried about new taxes and being forced to accept government-run health care. I just really think if we have less government in health care, we would be better off."

From time to time, I visit the Topix message board to read what posters are writing about what's going on in Taylor County.

Most (if not all, really) of what is posted is pure garbage, written only to hurt and embarrass people. The other part is completely incorrect information that further confuses people as to what is really going on in our community.

Lately, however, I have seen so much misinformation posted that it seemed only proper that I set a few issues correct.